This is my gift for horse people all over the world. I realize you are looking for proven techniques to train both your horse and your students. Now you do! The Horse and Rider Awareness videos are homemade and follow the training progress of several horses and riders over the years. They are live films taken in the actual training session so you can see what happens to real horses and riders. There is no editing and I am filming as I coaching. These techniques have been tested on 1000's of horses and riders and have also been used in instructor training and certification programs.

"I am honored to be selected as one of the “2015 International Equestrian Trailblazers.” June Burgess, well known International 3-day event rider and expert in performance mindset from Ireland is the host and she selected 24 equestrians from around the world who she feels have made the biggest impact in the horse industry"

Randi Thompson's insight:

"Would you like to know more about how I got my start with horses that brought me to where I am now (where ever that is) You might be surprised to know that I came from a non horse family and had to pay my own way. Now you can see my interview after being honored as one of the “2015 International Equestrian Trailblazers.” June Burgess, well known International 3-day event rider and expert in performance mindset from Ireland is the host and she selected 24 equestrians from around the world who have made the biggest impact in the horse industry" You can watch the interview at: http://equestriantrailblazers.com/randi-thompson-interview/&nbsp; (that link will be live for 7 days. After that you can watch the interview at: https://youtu.be/L-qD4VkdACg

"How to improve your halts and backing. Those who compete, especially in dressage, know how important backing and halting can be. Now you can see what Susan ...

Randi Thompson's insight:

In the training process horses will learn something new, and seem to forget it. In this session we are focused on improving what Susan is doing with Beaus halts and backing. Our goal is to teach Beau how to back without using the reins. His tendency has always been to back a little crooked and either throw his nose up or down into the ground. Now that they are competing in 2nd level we need to get picker about how Susan and Beau are connecting for these movements.

This is Susan and Beau competing and winning the Dover 2nd level Medal class.

Randi Thompson's insight:

This is Susan and Beau competing in the 2nd level Medal class. They won the class with a score of 65.5% It was an awesome performance! We came to this show as there are 2 "S" (FEI) judges including Sarah Geikie, who will be judging at the USDF Regionals. For the comments on the scores of riding position and effectiveness of aids Sarah made our day by adding these words. "Very correct riding!"

"Your challenge for this week. Do you find your legs are swinging all over when you are riding? Or that your seat does not seem to be where it needs to stay? You are not alone..

Randi Thompson's insight:

This is one of those techniques that will make a huge change in your riding position and as a result... your horses balance and connection with you. We have practiced this before and today was the perfect day to go back to this wonderful basic for securing an effective riding position. Are you ready to try this on your horse? You will be surprised to find that you are probably not over your inside leg on circles and other movements. We love your feedback. Let us know what you experience when you try this.

"Would you like to see how leg yields can help you pick up the correct lead? In fact, using leg yields can also improve your transitions and just about anything you do with your horse?

Randi Thompson's insight:

In this session Trudy is asking Ani to stay more connected in the canter transitions. To do this she is focusing on adding the feeling of a leg yield so that Ani learns to stay against the outside rein and leg. We start with the canter trot transitions and finish with Trudy feeling how the outside rein (and leg) used like a leg yield can improve Ani's circles. It was a very windy day the time of this video and I was using a new camcorder. You will hear the wind blowing...

Are you ready to try adding the leg yield to what you are doing with your horse? Try these techniques and let us know how they work for you.

Most riders know the feeling of a shifting saddle, which can occur for many reasons: it could be how your horse is carrying you, or a saddle not fitting the horse exactly right, or more than likely, this is how you have been balancing your ri

Randi Thompson's insight:

Now you can have an easy to understand technique that will change the balance of your riding position and keep your saddle in the middle of the horses back. You will probably be surprised how uneven you have really been in your saddle for...well, maybe forever? I know I was when I first discovered this. Check out the video at the end of this brief article as it shows what happened to a trainer that I coached through this process for the first time.

"How to Improve a Horse's rhythm and balance at the trot with the Metronome" (from 2013)

Randi Thompson's insight:

It's amazing what a metronome can do for a horses balance. By finding the right rhythm we can improve the gaits of a horse, which also makes them more comfortable to ride. If you are showing, the judges will notice the difference between a horse with regular gaits, and one that is going in and out of rhythm. It shows in how the horse uses its legs! In this session, Susan Faulkner Evans is focusing on the trot rhythm. As you will see, the quality of Beau's gaits gets better. (from 2013)

Have you ever thought of using a metronome or playing music (with the right rhythm) to improve your horses gaits?

"Is it possible to keep a hot or nervous horse connected at the canter? Now you can watch as Trudy asks Melody, a horse with a history of issues that also ...

Randi Thompson's insight:

Riding a hot nervous type of horse can be difficult even for a professional. Now you can see what happens as Trudy asks Melody to stay connected and relaxed at the canter for the 2nd time. It has taken several years to get Melody to this level as she had some very serious past training issues to work through. In the beginning of her retraining Melody would stick her nose up higher than her poll, stick her tongue out, roll her eyes back and snap her tail like a whip. She could not pick up the correct lead behind at all. Her idea of a canter was to race wildly around the ring and out of control. Now she is finally feeling safe with the training process and is staying basically connected in the walk and trot work. Now, our goal is to help her understand to stay connected in the canter. Even if it is only for a few steps....

"Can Your Horse Feel Your Half Halts at the Trot? What can you do to improve your half halt and become more aware of when your horse is responding?"

Randi Thompson's insight:

In this session Susan practices the half halt as taught by Robert Dover. To do this, she breaths in deeply.. bringing that breath up her chest and back into her shoulder blades. She finishes by bringing her seat forward, hugging her legs and closing her fingers on the reins. This entire process takes only 3 seconds. Beau has been doing half halts but has never really been thrilled with them. (for what ever issues he might be having that day) Since he is now competing in 2nd level we need to be able to balance him more than ever so that he starts to "engage" his back end and shorten his body from the back to the front. Lucky you as you get to watch him go through the process. This is their warm up trot and Susan is already asking Beau to listen to her half halts. By the end of this session you will see that Beau is starting to get it.

"The walk. What is really meant by keeping your horse supple (soft to your rein connection) at the walk? Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what to do to keep a horses poll up and how to see the if your horse has the correct bend (from in the saddle) in the front of the horse.

Randi Thompson's insight:

If you are like many riders you are not sure what it means when someone says that their horse is not softening to the bit at the jaw. Which means that the horse (or the rider) is bracing at some level and is a normal part of the training process. Now you can watch how I use the Steps to Connection to show Trudy where any blockages might be. We also focus on where Ani's poll is. Many times, when you first take up the rein connection the horse will either throw its nose up, or bring it to its chest. Again, this is part of the training process and your goal is to show the horse where you would like their head to stay positioned.

For those who ride in connection... Can you hear your horse say, "Why are you holding in my mouth and asking me to move forward from behind?" This is confusing for both the horse and the rider until they finally "get it"

Randi Thompson's insight:

There is a magical place, for those who ride a horse that is connected and in balance, where something happens. The horse becomes lighter to our aids and willing responds. Of course, this does take a little practice and, as in the case of many horses, may take a few years. Now you can watch the changes in Beau as Susan asks him to step up with more activity from behind so that they are more connected in the trot and the lateral movements in it.

"Is your horse saying, Yes, No... or Maybe when you ask it to respond to your rein contact or legs? Now you can watch a step by step process that you can use on your horse to know if it is responding"

Randi Thompson's insight:

Many riders are not sure when their horse is really listening or in fact, even understanding what they are asking them to do with the aids. In this session Susan is warming up Beau for the first time while asking him to stay soft of the rein contact with his poll up. Next Susan asks Beau to become more active from her leg aids so that he steps up into the rein connection. As a result Susan feels as if the reins become alive. (That is when your horse is stepping into you rein connection)

"My horse throws its head up in the trot walk transitions. What am I supposed to do? How can I keep my horses soft to my rein connection?"

Randi Thompson's insight:

This happens to so many riders. It is a common challenge that can be solved by understanding the Steps to Connection. Now you can watch what I do with Trudy and Ani to keep them connected with the walk trot transitions and the different trots. Ani is still new to being on contact/on the aids/on the bit/in front of the aids. Like most horses that are new to this level of connection she is not sure what she should be doing when Trudy takes up the contact. Now you can see what we are doing with the walk trot transitions and changes of gait at the trot to help her understand how to stay connected.

"Sometimes....as rider/trainers we feel like our horses will never "get" what we want them to do. Melody is a what we all a "complicated horse. She has lots of serious issues that we have been working through. Finally, after several years, she is staying somewhat relaxed at the canter

Randi Thompson's insight:

Many people find that they have horses with "issues" in their past training or in what they are trying to teach them to do. This is common and part of our training journey. Those who have been watching Melody's process know what a challenge she has been. In this video we are focusing on her canter work. It is so much better now than in past years but still has a ways to go. In the past Melody could not canter on the correct lead at all. She had serious issues and was in fact a little on the dangerous side. Now she can hold the canter much longer and has lost most of her anxiety about the riding process.

"The warm up is all about connecting a horse and rider. Would you like to see what a typical warm up at the walk and trot look like for us?

Randi Thompson's insight:

As you will see, we take our warm up time pretty seriously, well... maybe not so seriously but we do make a lot of changes to keep that special time more interesting for both the horse and the rider. You might notice that we do not stay on the outside of the ring, or continue doing the same circles over and over again. During this warm up session at the walk/trot we focus on activity of the hind feet, the connection of the reins, Trudy's riding position and much more. To do this we are using circles, serpentine's, straight lines and changes of gait.

"You want me to do what? Retraining a schoolmaster to understand how to stay on the outside rein and leg. Back to the basics.

Randi Thompson's insight:

Susan has brought Darrien a long way in his retraining. They do very well in the show ring competing in Prix St George and Intermediate 1, yet.... we are still working on the basics. Darrien does not understand how to stay connected on the outside rein and leg like a horse of his level should. In this session we add more of the leg yield feeling so that Susan can keep his shoulder and back up as Darrien stays connected. As you will see, this is a work in process. Now you can see what might be happening as you ask your horse to stay connected between your leg and rein aids at the trot.

Do you think it is easier to retrain an older horse or teach the basics to a younger horse?

"Would you like to see 2 horses at 2 different levels warming up at the trot? Check out the difference in how these riders are warming up their horses with some of the same exercises and some that are different. How does this compare with how you warm up your horse?"

Randi Thompson's insight:

Everyone loves watching our group lessons with Susan on Beau (1st and 2nd level dressage) and Trudy with Ani (training level). In this session they are warming up together on a very windy, rainy day. The horses are not thrilled that they are out in this weather and would rather be out in the fields than in the ring. Trudy is focusing on keeping Ani connected (on the bit/on the aids) for maybe the 8th or 9th time and Susan is working on keeping Beau active with his throat latch open. As for me, I am trying out a new camcorder. You will notice that it might go all over at times as I learn how it works. Many riders seem to just go "ring around the rosie" in circles and on the outside of the ring all the time. As you can see, our horses and riders are going all over the ring as they practice many different ways of connecting with their horses. This makes the training process more interesting for everyone.

"Asking a horse to step up into the connection (contact) of the reins for the first time. What could happen when you first ask your horse to do this? Now you can watch as Trudy asks Ani to stay "on the bit" instead of going on a loose rein"

Randi Thompson's insight:

This video was taken when Trudy first asked Ani to stay connected. Like any horse new to being connected from the riders legs into the rein connection (on the aids/on the bit/in front of the aids) Ani is not sure what is happening. In fact, she is not sure she even likes this new way of riding as Trudy has been riding her on a longer, looser rein and now is asking her to "step up" and into the connection of her reins. This is how a horse moves up in its training and begins to "round up" or "go on the aids." What you will see is what happens with many horses who are going through this part of the training process.

"Would you like to be able to ride that perfect circle? Check out this amazing technique using a lunge line. You will love what it can do for how your ride a...

Randi Thompson's insight:

"Would you like to be able to ride that perfect circle? Check out this amazing technique using a lunge line. You will love what it can do for how your ride a circle and what you are doing with your riding position. As part of this session we also focus on if Trudy is able to keep Ani in front of her legs. This was still a new concept to this pair at the time of this filming. Now you can watch how adding the lunge line work to the training process makes a difference for a riders awareness"

Some riders have been taught or have gotten into the habit of using their heels to get a horse to move forward or sideways. If you are using spurs, you might also have gotten into the habit of using your spurs instead of your lower leg. What can you do to fix this common riding challenge?"

Randi Thompson's insight:

When a rider uses their heels, they often are riding on their toes, their heels come up and their entire leg rolls off the saddle from the thigh down as the rider uses the back of their leg instead of the inside. When this happens, it is impossible for the riders to keep a secure, anchored lower leg position. Watch as I show Trudy how to focus on changing a habit that most riders have. She has been using her using her heels for years. It will be easy for you to see how this affects her lower leg position

"We have all had judges comment. Horse needs more contact or needs more activity. What does that mean? Basically, it's all about the horses activity from behind. But what does that mean? Watch this video and you will have a better understanding as we add more activity to Beau's lateral work"

Randi Thompson's insight:

There is a magical place, for those who ride a horse that is connected and in balance, where something happens. The horse becomes lighter to our aids and willing responds. Of course, this does take a little practice and, as in the case of many horses, may take a few years. Now you can watch the changes in Beau as Susan asks him to step up with more activity from behind so that they are more connected in the trot and the lateral movements in it. The bending technique came from Carl Hester World Champion Dressage Trainer of Charlotte Dujardin.

"What do they mean that my horse should be supple (soften) to the rein contact? Also, how far should I bring my horses head over when I am asking for the 'bend?' Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what bending should look like from in the saddle"

Randi Thompson's insight:

If you are like most riders you are not sure if your horse is really soft to to the rein connection (supple) Many riders are also not sure what a correct "bend" should look like in front of the saddle. They are not sure how far to bring their horses head over. The bending technique came from Carl Hester World Champion Dressage Trainer of Charlotte Dujardin. I have been experimenting with the bending technique these past few weeks and find it is easy for riders to understand and apply to what they are doing in their riding.

"What if... your horse is still unbalanced in its counter canter. In fact, what if.. your horse simply is not balanced at the canter like you think it should be? What do you need to know to find that happy place where your horse should be?"

Randi Thompson's insight:

Now you can watch Susan as she focuses on improving Beau's canter, counter canters and collected canter. It has taken us a few years to get Beau to this point in his training, but now he is starting to understand what we want and in fact, is starting to enjoy the process. To get your horse to that level of connection all you need to do is practice the Steps to Connection and of course, a little time. The weekend after this video was filmed Susan and Beau competed at a dressage show under "S" judges and earned their 1st 7.5's in their counter canter. We were thrilled!

"Is your horse still cantering around like a green horse? Disconnected and unbalanced with its head all over the place? You are not alone. In fact, this is just another stage of the training process for those who ride their horses in connection. Now you can watch as Trudy connects Ani in the canter"

Randi Thompson's insight:

The canter is often the most challenging gait for riders to connect the horses they are training. It does take time that is for sure. The process is made much easier when you understand how to use the Steps to Connection so that your horse is responding to your aids while you are training the canter. Of course... even that takes a little practice. Watch what happens with Trudy and Ani as they begin to connect at a new level with their canter.

"Would you like to know what is really meant by keeping your horse supple (soft to your rein connection) at the walk? Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what to do to keep a horses poll up and how to see the if your horse has the correct bend (from in the saddle) in the front of the horse.

Randi Thompson's insight:

If you are like most riders you are not sure what it means when someone says that their horse is not softening to the bit at the jaw. Which means that the horse (or the rider) is bracing at some level and is a normal part of the training process. Now you can watch how I use the Steps to Connection to show Trudy where any blockages might be. We also focus on where Ani's poll is. Many times, when you first take up the rein connection the horse will either throw its nose up, or bring it to its chest. Again, this is part of the training process and your goal is to show the horse where you would like their head to stay positioned.

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